In the heat of the finals, the ability to win contested possessions becomes crucial. Or so the saying goes.

But for North Melbourne on Sunday, it was going to be about controlling Richmond on the outside, restricting the Tigers’ uncontested possessions.

Throughout 2015, Richmond had been able to control the tempo of games with their foot skills, maintaining possession. In the first half it was able to do just that on the way to a 13-point lead at the long break.

The Tiger trio of Shaun Grigg, Taylor Hunt and Dustin Martin led the way, amassing 31 uncontested possessions between them to half time, and underpinning their side’s +20 advantage overall.

North was comfortably winning the battle inside, but it was proving fruitless up until that stage. However, it all turned once the sides emerged for the second half.

The aforementioned Tigers only managed a combined eight uncontested possessions in the second half as the overall count swung by almost 50.

It meant North was able to dry Richmond’s scoring right up. After conceding 12 scoring shots in the first half, the total was halved in the second. The Tigers’ incredible accuracy kept things close on the scoreboard despite the Kangaroos’ advantage in general play during the second half.

Just as important as North getting on top in the uncontested battle was how it maintained its advantage inside. Often when one side works to correct an area of its game, it naturally suffers in others.

That wasn’t the case at the MCG, and the charge was led by an unexpected source.

Brent Harvey’s role in recent times has largely been as a half forward, setting up scoring chains and kicking his own fair share.

Not only did he do that against the Tigers – two goals, two goal assists – he also had a game high 14 contested possessions. The number was his highest mark since all the way back in Round 22, 2008 against Port Adelaide. He also had a whopping twelve score involvements.

The 37-year-old wasn’t alone in the engine room, with the skipper collecting 13 contested possessions of his own, and Ben Cunnington having a further 12.

Down forward it was Waite who proved too much to handle for the Tigers’ defence. The former Blue maintained his average of four goals per game against Richmond in elimination finals.

Coincidentally, the last time Waite beat Richmond in a sudden death final, he travelled to Sydney for a semi-final at ANZ Stadium. He kicked three that evening, although the Blues lost by 24 points.

Waite was arguably North’s best in the first half and perhaps just as pleasing as his four goals were his seven tackles, a season high. It was a day of individual milestones for the 32-year-old. His second goal of the afternoon took his 2015 tally to 37, his highest ever total for a single season.

His fellow key forward also celebrated a major milestone. Drew Petrie hit the 400-goal mark when he kicked his second goal of the afternoon, becoming only the seventh Kangaroo to do so in the club’s history. Since the vice-captain became a full-time forward in 2011, he’s kicked 245 goals – only six players in the entire AFL have converted more.

In the heat of the finals, the ability to win contested possessions becomes crucial. Or so the saying goes.